Germany's Benedikt Howedes (C, front) holds the FIFA World Cup trophy as Germany's players celebrate their victory after the final match between Germany and Argentina of 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio do Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014. Germany won 1-0 over Argentina after 120 minutes and took its fourth World Cup title on Sunday. Photo:Xinhua

Three-time world champions Germany, who humiliated hosts Brazil 7-1 in the semifinals, edged two-time winners Argentina 1-0 in the extra time of their 2014 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.

Germany became the first-ever European side to win the World Cup in the Americas.

"We're the first European team to win a title in South America and that makes us very proud. Every player in this team gave everything they had," said Germany coach Joachim Loew.

Germany have played a tournament-record eighth World Cup finale, having won four and lost as many. Argentina, who last reached this stage 24 years ago, had two wins and three losses.

German substitute forward Mario Goetze, 22, was the hero. In the 88th minute, Goetze replaced veteran striker Miroslav Klose as the crowd - both Argentina and Germany supporters - rose to give the all-time World Cup scoring leader of 16 goals a round of applause.

In the 113rd minute, Gotze did brilliantly to control another substitute forward Andre Schurrle's cross with his chest and hit it one-time past German keeper Manuel Neuer. The ball found side netting at the far post. Gotze was elected the Man of the Match.

"Gotze is a miracle boy. I always know he can decide the match, " Loew said.

Lionel Messi, the eventual Golden Ball winner, played sharply but failed to score. His free-kick, possibly Argentina's last chance to equalize, sailed high over the bar on 120 minutes.

Germany boasted 60 percent of possession and 7 attempts on target against Argentina's two.

"It was a very balanced game," Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said after the duel. "They had more possession, but we had more cutting edge, more chances. When there are chances in a game that is so evenly balanced, you have to take them. We lacked a bit of efficiency."

Sabella, meanwhile, praised his players for recovering from a gruelling semifinal against the Netherlands to take Germany all the way to the wire.

"We played a day later and extra time, and the only thing I can do is congratulate my players," he said. "The work they did was extraordinary and we also congratulate Germany."

Loew realized a dream that began eight years ago when he first took charge of the national side.

"We started this project 10 years ago and what has happened today is the result of many years' work, starting with Jurgen Klinsmann. We've made constant progress, we believed in the project, we worked a lot and, if any group deserves it, it's this team. We've always played good football and I believe that over this tournament, over seven matches, we've shown the best performances of any of the teams here in Brazil," said Loew.

Germany's first scoring chance came in the last seconds of the first half as defender Benedikt Hoewedes' powerful header on a corner hit the post.

The best chance for Argentina came in the 23rd minute when German midfielder Toni Kroos made a poor header backwards, intended for Neuer, but forward Gonzalo Higuain was the first to get to it and clear in on goal. Unfortunately, Higuain hit wide.

After seven minutes, Higuain slotted in a cross from the right in a fast counterattack, but he was later adjudged to be in offside position.

Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria failed to return to the starting lineup. The Real Madrid midfielder sustained a thigh injury in Argentina's quarterfinal win over Belgium missed the semifinal against the Netherlands.

Germany midfielder Sami Khedira pulled out of the final shortly before kick-off due to a calf injury, with Christoph Kramer taking his place in the starting lineup.

The loss of Khedira was a huge blow to coach Joachim Loew given the Real Madrid player's impressive display in the semifinal win.

Khedira was named in Loew's original starting 11, which was unchanged from the 7-1 semifinal win over Brazil, only for the German Football Association (DFB) to confirm the change moments before the teams came out of the tunnel at the Maracana.

However, Kramer couldn't continue, still suffering from the knock to the head he took earlier on, and Low was forced to make a change early on in the first half.

"We always knew that we would need 14 players during this match and everyone in top shape, and all the players had to be ready," said Loew.

The second half witnessed good spells of ball possession in the 70th minute as Howedes, Ozil and Kroos linked up well to create space on the left side. Howedes' service though was off the mark and went out for a goal-kick.

In the 75th minute, Messi looked to create some space on his own and dribbled across the edge of the area until he had enough room to shoot but he couldn't curl it enough and it missed wide of the target.

In the 78th minute, Argentine forward Rodrigo Palacio came off the bench to replace Higuain.

Great build-up from Germany in the 82nd minute saw Lahm find Ozil on the far side who looked up and saw Kroos alone at the top of the area. The Bayern Munich man's low shot missed just wide.

For the third time in a row, the World Cup grand finale went into extra time after neither side could find a winner.